Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said the proposal introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would "diminish the influence of ordinary Americans in the political process." | AP Photo

Freedom Caucus vs. McConnell on campaign finance plan

The group of House conservatives says a proposal backed by the Senate leader would 'rig the game for the national parties.'

The House Freedom Caucus on Wednesday came out against a controversial proposal by Senate Majority Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that would eliminate caps on the amount parties are permitted to spend in coordination with candidates.

"This rider would rig the game for the national parties and diminish the influence of ordinary Americans in the political process," Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, the chairman of the 40-member group of conservatives, said of the campaign finance rider that would be included in a year-end omnibus spending bill. "It is designed to help elect candidates who will toe the party line in Washington rather than stand up for the people they were elected to represent."

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Proponents of the campaign finance idea say it would help party committees reassert power that they've lost in the post-Citizens United era. Unlike outside groups that can spend unlimited sums, the parties are subject to strict spending limits and reporting rules. But critics of the revision say it would give mega-donors even more sway over individual lawmakers and help GOP leaders block candidates who don't back their agenda.

The Freedom Caucus also said Wednesday it opposes another proposed add-on to the spending bill that would provide additional money to insurance agencies that take on unhealthy individuals seeking health care plans.

House conservatives will likely propose a number of their own riders to the government spending bill. Conservatives want the omnibus to include language that would strengthen the vetting system for Syrian refugees who want to come into the United States. The House passed a bill earlier this month that would increase those vetting programs by a broad bipartisan vote, but still some Freedom Caucus members want the omnibus to go even further.

"At a minimum it should have the language that passed," said Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho). "If we can't even get that then we're going to have a pretty big fight. I imagine we're going to have a robust discussion."

Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) is pushing to block funds for refugee relocation unless the Obama administration puts in place a long-term monitoring system for refugees. The spending limitation would include not just Syrian and Iraqi refugees, but individuals from the Middle East broadly and Northern Africa.

The conservative lawmakers are also planning to offer a policy rider that focuses on curbing abortion. That could be an effort to strip Planned Parenthood of its federal funding, or possibly a different measure.

House Republicans will meet Thursday to discuss the government spending bill.